Puzzles Corner

Previously, we looked at alphametics involving addition and subtraction. The logic becomes a little more involved when the alphametic involves multiplication. When a two digit number is multiplied by another two digit number, the process of finding the result is […]

A student of ours once asked me this question – in which cases is symmetry useful to us? Honestly, I don’t think I can create an exhaustive list of the topics where it could be useful. The first thing that […]

A few weeks back, we discussed how to handle puzzles involving a two pan balance. Today we look at some puzzles with a regular weighing balance. When we put an object on its scale, it shows us the weight of […]

Today, let’s learn how to solve alphametics. An alphametic is a mathematical puzzle where every letter stands for a digit from 0 – 9. The mapping of letters to numbers is one-to-one; that is, the same letter always stands for […]

We hope you are enjoying the puzzles we have been putting up. Though they may not be directly convertible to standardised test questions, they are great mathematical brain teasers! Another variety of puzzles involves distributing fuel among vehicles to reach […]

Let’s continue our puzzles discussion today with another puzzle type – time measurement using an hourglass. First understand what an hourglass is – it is a mechanical device used to measure the passage of time. It comprises of two glass […]

Today we look at another kind of puzzle – weighing with a two pan balance. Puzzle 1: One of twelve coins is a bit lighter than the other 11 (which have the same weight). How would you identify this lighter […]

In this series, we will look at some fundamental puzzles to acquaint ourselves with these mind benders. Total, we will look at the “pouring water puzzle” made famous by ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ where Bruce Willis and Samuel L. […]